Functional evaluation of phytanic acid diastereomers

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K06356
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 42010:Animal production science-related
• Research Institution: University of Miyazaki
• Principal Investigator: Nakanishi Tomonori 宮崎大学, 農学部, 准教授 (20717889)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 菅本 和寛 宮崎大学, 工学部, 准教授 (10274771)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: フィタン酸 / 畜産物 / 免疫調節作用

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we focused on phytanic acid, a novel functional lipid found in milk and beef, and investigated its immunomodulatory effects in detail. The results showed that phytanic acid suppressed cytokine production from mouse T cells, especially against Th1 and Th17 cytokines. Phytanic acid also suppressed antibody production by B cells and NO production by macrophages. Furthermore, phytanic acid inhibited weight loss and intestinal mucosal thickening in a dextran sulfate sodium-induced mouse colitis model. Of the two phytanic acid diastereomers, 3R,7R,11R(3R)- and 3S,7R,11R(3S)-isomers, the 3S-isomer showed stronger inhibitory effects against Th1 cytokines than the 3R-isomer.

Free Research Field

畜産食品科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

牛乳や牛肉などの畜産物はフィタン酸の天然の摂取源であり、8つあるフィタン異性体の中で3R,7R,11R-体（3R体）と3S,7R,11R-体（3S体）の2つを含んでいる。フィタン酸は免疫調節作用などの生理活性を有する機能性脂質として注目を集めてきた。本研究では、フィタン酸が培養細胞レベルのみならず動物個体レベルでも有効性を発揮する可能性が示され、更に3R体と3S体の免疫調節作用の差異についても新たな知見を得た。